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Washington Legislature approves conversion therapy ban

he Seattle City Council is considering legislation that would ban conversion therapy in the city. (AP)

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington Legislature has passed a bill to ban licensed therapists from trying to change a minor's sexual orientation.

The Senate agreed on changes made in the House to Senate Bill 5722 and passed it on a 33-16 vote Saturday. It now heads to Gov. Jay Inslee for his signature.

The bill would deem it "unprofessional conduct" for a licensed health care provider to perform conversion therapy on a patient under the age of 18.

Under the measure, if the provider violates the law, they would face sanctions ranging from fines to license revocation or suspension. Changes made in the House include the measure applying to non-licensed counselors operating as part of a religious organization, religious denomination or church.

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In January, when the bill was introduced in the state Senate Health Committee, KIRO 7's John Knicely spoke to Democratic Sen. Marko Lias of Lynnwood who testified about a family that regretted sending its 14-year-old gay son to conversion therapy. Click here to read more.

“Danni was in the circumstance of having rubber bands on his wrist and rocks in his shoes to teach him that who he was and who he was becoming was wrong,” Lias said.